Tribal areas
are found south of Udaipur towards Som. In this mountainous
area, nomadic tribal people were encouraged by the government since the1960s
to settle in loosely-defined villages, when he government banned the use
of the forests upon which they depended. Stone walls delineate fields.
The yellow crop is mustard seed-- the tiny brown seeds are crushed for
cooking oil. A former prominent landlord's farm compound remains:
arched gate, multi-storey houses with balconies, separate women's sections,
private Hindu temple, and workers' quarters. Meanwhile, out in the open
countryside, tribal people live a hard life as illustrated by the isolated
house behind the brush fence. Three times a month, cattle manure
is spread by hand over the floors of houses -- which appears as slightly
lighter color than the mud-colored walls. The prize possession is the inherited
family sword.